Retired U.S. Air Force (22 years), Viet Nam Vet. Member of MBAA/ABA since 1985. Proud member of American Legion Post 408 and VFW Post 7253 both in Derby, Kansas. A VERY PROUD PATRIOT GUARD RIDER.

How Ray started fishing

Started fishing when I was 14 with my uncle and my first tournament was in 1971

Aspirations or goals with fishing

Just enjoy the day on the water and catching that BIG ONE

Favorite way to fish

Flipping, it appears that the best way to catch the BIG ONE'S, for me anyway.

Most exciting fishing experience

At Big Hill Lake in Parson's Kansas in a MBAA Tournament in April 1998 I had just bought a new boat and I drew our Dist 58 director Roger Gunsell and he had a limit for 18 + lbs and with a hour to go I only had two fish, THEN THE FUN BEGAIN on three consecutive cast I caught three fish each weighing over six lbs and won the tournament with 24.52 lbs. WHAT A DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET

How Ray preps for a tournament

Maps and GPS systems for me to study.

Three favorite search baits

Spinnerbait, Crankbaits and Plastics (Sinko's and Baby Brush Hog's)

Best tournament finish and what you did that day when you were fishing.

1st Place, See above: Just keep fishing and not giving up till that LAST CAST

Most challenging part of tournament fishing

Patience, Patience, Patience and then a little Patience, Just keep casting and not giving up, fish your last cast as if it were your first of the day and stay focused

When tournaments don't go my way

Just remember that there is another day of fishing coming. That's why they call it fishing and not catching

Advice to give to an aspiring tournament angler:

Have FUN above everything and the good fish will come. If you are a co-angler you will learn a ton from your boater and you will fish with some of the best in American Bass Anglers, But remember to have FUN

Some shared general bass fishing techniques for people just getting into the sport

Don't try to buy the best of everything at first. A couple of spinnerbaits, crankbaits and some plastics and go enjoy your day on the water with a ABA member and he/she will help you with any and everything you will need to know about fishing a tournament. Love to see the younger anglers (14 to 18) getting into ABA, lets help them as much as we can.